Earth's Classroom, Part III November 7, 2009

Rosebud, Missouri

November 7, 2009

This was my third trip to Earth's Classroom. Today, it was me, Susan G, Sue H, Denise T, Sandy, and Lillian C and her hubby.

We had a lovely day working the fire lines for the date-to-be-announced prescribed fire. Three people operated backpack leaf blowers while the rest of us followed with rakes and a chainsaw. I was a raker-using an all metal rake. All metal rakes are a must in burns-no wood handles!

We raked the earth bare in a three foot radius around dead trees near the fire line. A dead tree is a big piece of kindling that could fall and cross the fire line and start a fire in another area. Some trees were raked around, some were downed with the chainsaw and some were simply pushed over. I've never pushed down a dead tree before. It was kind of cool. I probably pushed a half dozen (or more) trees down with my hands.

Once again, Jodi and Bill M pointed out the land on either side of the fire line. One side had been subjected to multiple burns, while the other side (not their property) never had. I first saw this in the summer, but in the fall, it is just as amazing. The side that hadn't been burned was full of cedars and lots of ground cover. The burned side looked so much healthier and open. It's about creating wildlife habitats and getting rid of invasives.

Bill found some snakes and Jodi brought them over to us to see. She had a Midland Brown, a Ringed-Neck, and an Earth snake. There were all tiny snakes. So pretty! I think she said that Missouri has around 52 snakes. That's a lot of different snakes! I feel so lucky to live in Missouri.

I asked Bill how long after a burn can you walk through the ashes and he said immediately. Jodi said that after a burn, you can see many, many tunnels that all sorts of animals use. She said that hawks go crazy because their prey cannot hide. How exciting.

I hope my next Earth's Classroom post is about helping with a prescribed fire. I'm so excited to experience my first fire. A little scared, but confident it will be an interesting, fun learning experience.